Sea of No Leaks

As the saying goes: A living tiger is like a man, a dead tiger is like mud.

In the deep mountains and old forests, amidst countless crouching tigers, a head that had rolled to the side of the mountain path suddenly opened its eyes and spoke with a kindly expression.

What a chilling scene!

Upon seeing this, Mo Chuan's sense of dread quietly receded, and he said with a smirk:

"Tsk, what stray ghost are you, daring to possess a human head? Aren't you afraid I'll smash your skull with a single shovel?"

"Daoist priest, you misunderstand. We aren't stray ghosts; we're just corpse drivers from the Yin-Retrieval Sect."

As the head spoke, the body lying by the path actually sat up by itself. Fumbling with its hands, it picked up the head and pressed it onto its neck.

Wow, it actually performed a live resurrection right before Mo Chuan's eyes!

At the same time, another corpse driver's body also sat up. Cupping its backside, it searched for a long time and found a head among the jagged rocks, pressing it on. It cursed as it did so.

"These accursed beasts, they've made me suffer so much."

Upon closer inspection, the head had fallen into the rocks and was badly scraped.

Mo Chuan was greatly surprised. They weren't afraid of their heads falling off, but they were afraid of their faces being ruined by rocks? This was interesting.

"What kind of magic is this?"

"Compared to your Art of Telekinetic Grabbing, Daoist priest, it's merely a minor skill. You make me look foolish."

The lead corpse driver glanced at the shovel in Mo Chuan's hand and cupped his fists with a fawning smile.

— If he hadn't been worried that the Daoist priest would bury them alive, he wouldn't have spoken up to warn him! Of course, the more crucial reason was that this young Daoist priest appeared to be a kind person.

"Oh? How about we trade?" Mo Chuan chuckled and suggested.

"You jest, Daoist priest. Our skills are not to be passed on lightly. The sea does not leak its secrets. Though my inheritance is small, it is passed down to disciples, not outsiders, and I hope for your understanding!" [Note 1]

The lead corpse driver quickly cupped his fists.

"Ah, old man, don't be so hasty to refuse. Listen to the method I'm offering in exchange; it won't cost you anything."

Mo Chuan said with a meaningful smile.

"Tell us! Tell us!"

The junior corpse driver, clutching his disfigured face, leaned closer, his eyes shining.

"If the Daoist priest is willing to impart his teachings, we couldn't ask for more. It's a good opportunity to broaden our horizons."

The lead corpse driver, whether swayed by his disciple's words or intending to probe Mo Chuan's background, adopted an attentive posture.

"I possess a technique called Ghost Immortal Spirit Mediumship, which can summon immortals to channel messages and subdue demons and devils. Old man, when you travel through the mountains, if you encounter fierce bandits or malevolent spirits, you can summon a Ghost Immortal to assist you with a mere flick of your finger, and you'll have no worries!" Mo Chuan said with a smile.

"There's such a magic?" The junior corpse driver's eyes lit up, and he immediately tugged at his master's sleeve.

"When I was young, I once heard a wandering Daoist priest say: All true celestial immortals and divine generals do not possess the bodies of living people. If they speak through someone, it is definitely an evil demon, an unorthodox path, or a wicked ghost."

The lead corpse driver refused tactfully.

"This is a dispute between orthodox traditions. Very well, I have another technique called the Law of Escaping Two Sceneries. It allows one to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. Mortals who cultivate it will be protected from malevolent spirits, and after a hundred years, they can even achieve corpse dissolution into immortality. Wouldn't that be a carefree and happy life?" Mo Chuan added.

"Master, what is a senior sister?"

The junior corpse driver tugged at his master's sleeve, lowering his voice and asking urgently.

He hadn't clearly heard the other remarks, but he had clearly heard the phrase "senior sister becomes an immortal."

"Don't embarrass yourself!"

The lead corpse driver, looking embarrassed, flicked his sleeve again and cupped his fists:

I have heard that so-called Ghost Immortals have no true destination or belonging, merely reincarnating and changing abodes! We mountain folk believe in returning dust to dust and earth to earth. I hope the Daoist priest understands.

Mo Chuan took a quiet breath and continued:

"Old man, you are quite carefree! I have another technique that grants divine movement like wind, increases strength, and allows for nightly conquest of three thousand. Life is fleeting, why not seize the moment and enjoy yourself?"

This time he was referring to the Art of Ascending and Copying.

This was one of Mo Chuan's rare life-saving skills. Although he was willing to trade it, he didn't want to reveal too much.

So he only revealed a few points, hoping to pique their interest.

Upon hearing this, the junior corpse driver stopped covering his face and, with shining eyes, reached out to tug his master's sleeve again.

Unexpectedly, his master subtly pulled his sleeve away and cupped his fists:

"Daoist priest, you have great divine abilities! Please, Daoist priest, say no more. As the saying goes, a thousand taels of gold cannot buy the Dao, and at the crossroads, we bid farewell to old friends. Please, Daoist priest, show mercy!"

Mo Chuan carefully examined the face of the elder corpse driver.

If his eyes didn't deceive him, he clearly saw a flicker of interest in the corpse driver's eyes, but for some reason, he suppressed it and pleaded for mercy.

"Very well! It was my eagerness that made me presumptuous."

Mo Chuan took a deep breath, cupped his fists, and bowed: "Farewell!"

With that, he turned and headed down the mountain.

"The mountain path is slippery, Daoist priest, travel safely!"

The corpse driver shouted, and Mo Chuan raised his hand in a gesture. The thickening mountain mist instantly swallowed the green, shadowy figure of the Daoist.

"Hurry up and pack, let's go! That group of bandits is arguing amongst themselves, they might come back to loot the bodies!"

Seeing the Daoist priest leave, the lead corpse driver quickly urged his disciple to pack their things.

"Yes, yes!"

Upon hearing this, the junior corpse driver's heart tightened, and he quickly started packing with his master.

The young man couldn't keep his thoughts to himself.

After a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, I don't think that Daoist priest is a bad person. Why didn't we trade with him?"

The lead corpse driver spat at his disciple's feet and said:

"You, you! You're human but want to be an immortal, born on the ground but want to reach the sky. What are you trying to do? After learning that Daoist art, would you still drive corpses? You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Master will tell you, don't waste your effort. Look at Shou Mountain Town, how many withered bones are buried there, all for the sake of learning that art of stacking a thousand pieces of gold!"

"We are blessed by our ancestor. Having a skill to make a living means we won't starve, which is already several times better than others! We live day by day. A day of leisure is like a day as an immortal. Perfecting the skills in your hands is better than anything! I ask you, when that bandit was attacking you, why did you block? What if you angered him, and he cut you down with his sword..."

The lead corpse driver's scolding stopped abruptly.

He glanced at the dark mountain forests on both sides of the mountain path, then at his disciple, who was looking down with a silent, mumbled expression. His heart softened, but he continued sternly:

"Hurry up, you lead the way, I'll drive the corpses."

"Master... the gong and drum!"

The young man reached out to take the Yin-calling gong and soul-镇铃 from his master.

"Gong and drum for what? Let's go, let's go!"

The lead corpse driver shouldered a string of corpses and strode swiftly, disappearing into the dense fog.

The junior corpse driver stood in place, looking down at the mountain path the Daoist had taken to descend, then looked up at the mountain path his master was climbing. Finally, he pouted, gritted his teeth, and chased after his master.

The fog spread across the wilderness, and the wind rustled the mountain forest.

Meanwhile, as Mo Chuan descended the mountain, he felt a deep sense of unease.

The Yellow Skin regarded him as if he were an immortal, while the demon child feared him like a tiger.

Along the way, he had navigated smoothly, using his wit to seize many opportunities, feeling a sense of destiny in his hands.

He never expected to be rebuffed by a mountain old man today.

It taught him what it meant to know that there are always people better than you.

"Alas, what I gain is my fortune, what I lose is my fate! Forget it! Forget it!"

Mo Chuan exhaled, trying to comfort himself.

"Huh!"

As he walked halfway up the mountain, he suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.

He saw two faint lights appear on the mountain path.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a foolish, silly roe deer standing in the middle of the mountain path, staring at him blankly.

However, the faint scent of incense offerings shimmering on its body could not be hidden from Mo Chuan, who cultivated the Incense Offering Path.

As Mo Chuan looked, the silly roe deer immediately turned and walked down the mountain path. After a few steps, it stopped and looked back at Mo Chuan.

"Interesting."

Mo Chuan grinned and followed.